This is not testing done on your baby. Carrier screening is testing that's done on YOU or YOUR PARTNER to see if either of you carry a genetic mutation that could cause a serious inherited disorder in your baby. Some of the more common disorders screened for include cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, thalassemia, and Tay-Sachs disease.

These disorders are all recessive, which means that your baby must inherit the defective gene from BOTH parents to have the disease.

If you decide to do this kind of screening, you'll probably be asked to give a saliva sample. Then if you're found to be a carrier, your partner will be screened as well.

This is different than testing done on the baby like an amnio or CVS. 

Have you had this type of testing done? Why or why not? Please comment below.